Improvement in ditchers and tile-layers



J. J. CAMPBELL. DITGHER AND TILE LAYER. No.178.Z31. Patented June a, 1876..

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. drain.

them-of similar shape, are secured to thecut- [UNITED STATES PATE @JOJHN OA PBE L'OF LA FAYETTE, ITNTDIAQNA.

- .INIPROVLEN'IENT IN DIQ'I "CH ERSANID T ILE- LAYERS.

Specification forming part tr LettersiPatent No. 178,23 I dated June 6, 1876; application filed January21,18 76.

t 1 To all whom tt may concern In the annexed drawings, which make a.

part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of "the entire machine. Fig.2 isa sectional elevation, and Fig. 3- shows a section taken from the vertical bar which carries the plows and tile or gravel box.

The same letters in all the figures indicate identical parts.

A is the draft-beam, to which the chain or cable is fastened,by which the machine is drawn through the earth by means of a capstan. To the rear end of this is fastened the vertical beamB, which carries the plows. It

is madesharpin front to open the'earth, and may be faced with. steel plates. Threaded rods D D are screwed throughthe beam A, and into iron nuts on the cross-bars of the shoeO, which slides on the surface of the ground, and is adjusted by the screws D to regulate the depth of the out. On the lower end of the cutter-beam B is a triangular plow E, pointed in front, and having the share E on the bottom to smooth the bottom of the Other plows, F F-one or more of ter-beam, and, preferably, inclined downward at the point, for "the purpose of loosening the earth. In the recessB, in the rear sideof the cutterbeam,the shaft G is secured by stepping its lower end in the plow E, and at the top by a strap, K. This shaft carries the tile or gravel box, which is composed of steel plates G G G forming distinct sections, of which more or less may beemployed, accord.- in g to the depth of the cut. Through the box is an opening, G opening at the top and through the lower rear angle of the box. Wooden blocks G are placed in the front end of the box, between the respective plates forming the sections. An apron, H, of spring;steel, is placed in the opening G and, being secured at the upper end to the wooden block, extends end of the upper section of the box. It is flared at the top on the sides, The object of this block is to prevent the caving in of .the'

earth so as to interfere with the proper deposition of the tile or gravel. On the draftbeam A is a spirit-level, L, which is fastened by a set-screw tothe upper edge of a hinged plate, L pivoted to the draft-beam. The position of the plate is determined by the eccentric L pivoted to the draft-beam belowthe plate L An index-finger, L indicates the angle of inclination 'ona graduate scale markedon the plate L The operation of the machine is as follows: The depth ofcut having been determined, the shoe 0 is regulated at the proper distance above the plow E,- and the box is formed of the required number of sections to bring the apron H upon the level of the share E andthe top of the block G I, with its flanges upon the surface of the ground. The plate L should also be adjusted so that the level will indicate by its bubble when the machine is cutting either horizontally or at a required inclination to give the prescribed inclination to the bottom.

of the drain. 1 When properly arranged, the machine is drawn through the earth by the cable and capstan, and the tile are fed into the box at G continuously, and deposited in the drain. channel cut by the plow E. In either case the block I will keep the cut open until the sections of tile or the gravel have been deposited.

I am aware that a beam carrying the plow, and supported on a sled orshoe, and fitted with adjusting-screws to fix the inclination of the mole-plow, have been vused. My invention differs from them in the respect that I dispense with the draft-rods which in that machine connect the shoe .andplow-standard, and employ a light shoe,which has only to sustain the weight of the beam and its own friction. My claim will, therefore, be limited,

to combinations in which the beam performs its function of a draft-beam, transmitting the draft directly to the ditching, mechanism without the intervention of intermediate parts.

Gravel may be fed in to fill the What I claim as my inventiomand desire tosecnre by L jetters' Patent,;is

1. In combination with the draft beam A and. cutter-beam B, the plow E, carrying on its lower face the share E, for finishing the bottom of the drain, substantially as set forth 2. In combination with the solid cutter.- beam B,-opening the ditch by forcing the earth to each side, and drain-plow E, one or more auxiliary plows, F, arranged above the latter to loosen the earth, substantially as set I forth.

3; The tile or gravel box, constructed in seco. E. LUKE. 

